River Bend Receives Donation From Gene Johnson To Build Pavilion

A new open-air pavilion will be built at the River Bend Nature Center with the financial support of Gene Johnson, wife of the late Sam Johnson.

The facility will help River Bend Nature Center Inc. focus on enhancing their programming and help increase revenue, according to a press release. River Bend is a private non-profit corporation that is self-sustaining and does not receive public funding.

The open-air pavilion will be used for nature camps, field trips, art exhibits and performing arts productions, summer nature camp and school field trips. But the facility can also be used as a “weather resistant” outdoor venue for private events. Construction

Construction of the facility, designed by Kubala Washatko Architects Inc., is set to begin in the fall and is expected to open in early 2015. The building will feature a green design.